Butch Heard

Butch Heard passed away at the age of 87. He was a long-time resident of Arkadelphia Arkansas.

His greatest accomplishments include being a son, brother, husband, father, grand-father and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years Wanza Heard, his sons; Hawes Heard IV of Hot Spring, Randy Heard (Denise) of Donaldson. His daughters; Victoria Stephens of Gunter Texas, Elizabeth McIver (John) of Rockledge Florida, and Jodi Selby of Arkadelphia. His Brother John Heard (Jeannie) of Illinois, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; nieces nephews and a host of friends.

Butch was known by many formal titles throughout his life. To include Arkansas Traveler/Ambassador, Director of Pharmacy at Baptist Twin Rivers Hospital, Arkadelphia; Owner and Pharmacist of “Heard’s Drug Store” both in Arkadelphia and Amity; Civil Air Patrol lieutenant City Council member Arkadelphia; a member of both the Lions and Rotary Clubs.

When Butch was 17 years old, he was one of five selected to be a “commissioned Arkansas Traveler” for the Netherlands. He carried a letter of introduction signed by Governor Faubus of Arkansas to Queen Julliana Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. The Queen was invited by the Arkansas legislature to visit Mena in connection with opening Rich Mountain as a state park. In 1957, state Senator Roy Riales authored a Senate concurrent resolution that designated the site “Queen Wilhelmina State Park”, and the park was established by Act 76 in 1957.

During Butch’s time as a pharmacist and owner of “Heard’s Drug Store” he would tell jokes and tall tales to customers and pharmaceutical salesmen, he loved to laugh. He was a kind and compassionate man known to forgive bills of collection, fill antibiotic prescriptions for free or reduced price for families who couldn’t afford the medicine, and offer services to those who had been turned away.

In his spare time, he was a part-time cowboy. He enjoyed spending time with his black angus cattle, growing and bailing hay, and kicking back with nature. Butch and his wife enjoyed traveling the U.S in their motorhome named Junebug. They also visited many other countries throughout the world.

As mentioned earlier, Butch has multiple grandkids and great grandkids with whom spending time with Papa’s laughter and smile were contagious.

During Butch’s last days it was evident he was loved and admired by many. In addition to family, lifelong friends sought him out for one last visit.

He will truly be missed and admired by many.

The Celebration of life service will be held Saturday October 24th at 11 A.M in the Ruggle’s Wilcox Chappel with Brother Ken Beaver Officiating.